Nine little-known retirement hotspots revealed - where crime is low and properties cheap
- From Arizona to North Carolina, the towns provide cheaper, social alternatives
- READ MORE: Why company 401(K) is probably unfair
It can be hard to choose where to spend your sunset years and with popular retirement hubs like Florida falling out of favor, many are looking in new directions.
A new list compiled by Realtor.com and GoBankingRates has revealed nine lesser-known retirement destinations with affordable property and low crime rates.
From Arizona to North Carolina, they provide a cheaper, small town alternative to the increasingly pricy classic hotspots.
At the top of the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with a population of just 3,210 people and a median age of 57, the town is a sociable retiree's heaven.
In second and third places are two towns with the same name: Sun City. The first, in Arizona has low house prices while the second, in Florida, is one of the most affordable destinations in the state.
At the top of the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with a population of just 3,210 people and a median age of 57, the town is a sociable retiree's heaven
The small community is filled with Southern charm and natural beauty spots
The list, first compiled by Realtor.com last year and updated with this year's figures by GoBanking Rates, ranked destinations based on retiree's wish lists.
They assessed house prices and taxes, but also considered lifestyle, looking for places with warm weather, a friendly community and amenities like pickleball courts, golf courses and gardens.
At the top of the list was Bermuda Run in North Carolina.
The small community is filled with Southern charm and natural beauty spots.
And with a median house price of just $311,000 it's one of the cheapest places to relocate to.
The town is home to a myriad of community events from live concerts in the square to volunteering opportunities at local schools.
Bermuda Run draws in many people from the Northeast, thanks to the areas low property taxes and the fact the state doesn't tax social security benefits.
In second place is Sun City, Arizona, which with its median age of 72, has a close knit community of fellow retirees.
The town was once dubbed the 'Original Fun City' and was founded in 1960 as a 55-plus community.
It's now been engulfed by the Phoenix sprawl, meaning residents have easy access to all of the big city's amenities, while enjoying a quieter pace of life at home.
For keen golfers, there are even relaxed laws about driving carts on the road.
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is in Florida.
Sitting around 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retirement hub with beautiful local beaches and excellent healthcare facilities.
But it's one of the cheapest options out there for a retirement town in the state, with the median house price at just $329,900.
In fourth place is another Arizona town, called Green Valley.
Sitting 30 minutes south of Tucson, the Sonoran Desert town is a mountainous retirement community with golf and plenty of wildlife for keen bird-watchers.
In second place is Sun City, Arizona, which with its median age of 72, has a close knit community of fellow retirees
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is in Florida. Sitting around 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retirement hub with beautiful local beaches and excellent healthcare facilities.
In fifth place is Manchester in New Jersey, one of the only recommended towns in the Northeast, chosen for its blend of coastal living and suburban comfort
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods (pictured) in California and The Villages in Florida, both of which are more expensive but are known for their senior-centric design
In fifth place is Manchester in New Jersey, one of the only recommended towns in the Northeast, chosen for its blend of coastal living and suburban comfort.
Next on the list is King City, Oregon, which offers quick access into the hustle and bustle of Portland while maintaining proximity to the great outdoors.
Residents can be in reach the Tualatin River and the 230-acre Cooper Mountain Nature Park in minutes, or closer to home, take part in community gardening projects.
In seventh place is South Pasadena in Florida. This destination is slightly more expensive, with a median house price of $349,900 and a median age of 68.
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods in California and The Villages in Florida, both of which are more expensive but are known for their senior-centric design.
They both have minimum age requirements and tailor-made facilities with healthcare and activities to suit the older populations.
